Khirbat al-Minya, Umayyad palace complex in Tabgha, Israel
Khirbat al-Minya is an Umayyad palace building standing near Tabgha on the northern shore of Lake Tiberias. The structure features round towers at its corners and contains rooms for administration, living, and worship.
The palace was built between 705 and 715 CE under caliph al-Walid I, as confirmed by inscriptions found at the site. An earthquake in 749 CE caused severe damage that halted construction, leading to the site's eventual abandonment.
The mosque within the complex ranks among the region's earliest and shows how worship spaces and daily life existed side by side. The prayer hall with its multiple sections reveals how believers carried out their regular practices here.
The remains of the palace can be examined during a visit, with a quiet location right by the shore making exploration easier. Wearing comfortable shoes and planning for sun exposure is helpful, as the site offers little shade.
The unfinished sections clearly show how abruptly use ceased after the earthquake and what a natural disaster could mean for a power. This rupture in history remains visible in the site's present condition today.
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